Your collection of spices may already be filled with garlic powder and rosemary. But there is another one which will make your rack of spices a little bit spicier. Sumac Spice really deserves a place in that collection of yours and you will be astonished by its beneficiary facts and as well as with its taste in different recipes. So, here is a brief description of this spice:
What is Sumac Spice?
You may already have listened about this spice and please do not panic if you have heard that it is poisonous. Some of the species of this plant are poisonous and it is correct. But all of them are not poisonous.
Here we are discussing the superfood spice version of the species that come from berries of genus Rhus that contains over 250 individual species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae. The term sumac is derived from the Arabic root, summaq, meaning red, named due to the color of sumac fruit. Sumac is found in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world. Many species are used as a spice, the most important being Rush Coriara and it is safe to eat.
This is a spice with versatility in taste and flavor characteristics are described as – oily and acidic aroma, a little tangy, little lemony, cellulose/woody, spicy and also a touch of fruity flavor is present in this spice.
Sumac Spice is mainly brought from Middle East where it is widely used in rice, vegetable and meat dishes and in desserts. The plants grow in dense cluster in bushes and after bringing them, they are dried into maroon spice or tangy purplish spice. These are generally high in antioxidants. It can actually be found in berry form, but in the market this is available in spice powder form.
Is Sumac good for you?
Taste is a big factor for selecting a spice into your spice list. But just considering its taste is not everything to say a spice as a good one. If there are some health benefits that a spice can offer, then the spice can be categorized as a good one. Sumac actually lies in this category of good spices.
It is used as an herbal remedy in traditional medicine due to its anti-fibrogenic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antithrombin, antitumorigenic, antiviral, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, leukopaenic and atheroprotective effects.
Sumac contains phenol acids and flavonoids substances, such as methyl gallate, kaempferol, quercetin, and gallic acid (GA) which possesses potent antioxidant properties. Also, Sumac is known to be a rich source of hydrolysable tannins which along with its derivatives are strong antioxidants.
Sumac is a great source of antioxidants and antioxidants are available to serve human health for years. Antioxidants have the potential to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are the bad elements that can trigger cancer cells, heart diseases and aging signs.
So, reducing the free particles has a great role in health benefits for humankind. These antioxidants can also work like an anti-inflammatory diet which helps to reduce coronary heart disease.
Sumac also has positive effects on diabetic patients. According to a study, taking this superfood 3g for about 3 months helps to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases of diabetes 2 patients. [1]
Sumac really has many health benefits for human and with great taste and health benefits who will not want to add this spice into his/her spice bucket?
Sumac Spice Recipe
Sumac is mainly used in Middle East regions for cooking. It adds red color and a little sour note to the food. Sumac Spice comes from the plant Sumac and making this spice is not that much hard. A little effort can make this spice in your house.
Ingredients
- Sumac Clusters
- A Shifter
- Strainer
- Colander
- A Blender
- Herb Grinder
- Food Processor
Process
- Identify the right Sumac with red cluster of berries above foliage.
- Collect these in dry manner.
- Collect as much as you want [one cup of berries can give one and half tablespoons of Sumac Spice].
- Make the berries dry in a cool and dark place for one week or two.
- Put these berries in a blender or food processor.
- Pulse them to separate the seeds and there will be a read dust got separated from the seeds.
- Collect the Red Dust.
- Put the dust into a strainer, then in a colander or mesh. Then pure Sumac powder will be ready.
- For further improvement in taste, you can add some fresh ground pepper with it.
- Shake the mixture.
- This will make ready Red lemon pepper from Sumac Spice.
You can definitely mix Sumac with other ingredients to discover a new taste. Experimenting will be fun if you are going to do that by own.
How to eat Sumac?
Sumac is really versatile in nature. You can add this spice in plenty of dishes. Just use this as a rub on fish or chicken. Or you can use it in a dressing or marinade, or you can sprinkle it on hummus. Not only that, you can also add Sumac to your yogurt or to potato chips or fires. From Sumac lemonade you can even make natural cough syrup. This cough syrup just needs boiling water, sumac, a little honey and a little attention of yours. This is not the end though. Sumac lemonade can be used for other purposes also.
What can I use Sumac for?
This spice can be used for making many dishes more mouthwatering and attractive.
- Sumac can be added to puree roasted cauliflower to highlight the lemon flavor of Sumac.
- This spice is used for salad purposes in Middle East regions.
- Chicken can be double roasted with sumac and halved lemons.
- A little bit of Sumac on French fires can make it go to another level of taste.
- It is a perfect partner of ginger to get blended with and this blend is used in tofu dishes of Asia.
- It can be used to spice up sea foods also. Lemon like sumac sauce can make seafood taste a little bit more delicious.
- This spice can be used with herb salads by coating it on potatoes and frying on olive oil.
Is there any Side Effects?
There are a few side effects of this spice in overdose case. An excessive amount of Sumac
- Can bring allergic reactions
- Can be a reason for Undesired weight loss
- Can bring unknown pregnancy problems
- Can have bad Drug Interactions
- Can lower Blood Pressure.
Bottom Line:
This Middle Eastern based spice does actually have great tangy and spicy taste with a little bit of sourness and lemony effect. With many health benefits, there are a few side effects which can cause serious problems. But, that is not an issue if you are going to eat it in control. Everything goes wrong with excessive use. So, there should not be any restrictions to use it but the quantity needs to be controlled. Now, what are you waiting for? Go and get started with your food recipe with this tangy spice.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232791/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sumac